Despite NOMs bullying of the judicial system, one Iowa politician refuses to give into hate, "no matter how ugly it gets."

There could be no truer ally to the gay and lesbian community than Iowa Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal.

The Des Moines Register reported:

Republicans will occupy the governor's office and will control the Iowa House next year, and there's a chance that final results could give Republicans a 25-25 deadlock in the Iowa Senate.

But Senate Democrats will maintain at least equal power -- which will give Majority Leader Mike Gronstal authority to prevent a vote on a marriage amendment to the state constitution.

"There's no mechanism whereby senators, even a majority of senators, can override the majority leader," according to Secretary of the Senate Mike Marshall, a staffer who ensures rules are followed.

Senate Republicans intend to try various maneuvers to force a vote, even though they don't believe such efforts will succeed. Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, hopes public pressure might eventually compel Gronstal to allow a vote, but Gronstal said Wednesday that will never happen.

McKinley said: "I believe enough pressure will be brought that Mike Gronstal will have to stand against the wishes of the entire majority of Iowans. And then he will agree to do the right thing."

Gronstal believes the right thing means protecting the civil rights of gays and lesbians. He reaffirmed Wednesday that he won't bow to pressure, no matter how nasty it gets.

"The easy political thing for me to do years ago would have been to say, 'Oh, let's let this thing go. It's just too political and too messy,' " Gronstal said. "What's ugly is giving up what you believe in, that everybody has the same rights. Giving up on that? That's ugly."

First, of all, Mike Gronstal should not feel alone. Every single one of us should let him know that we stand behind him. Not only in spirit, but in action. Send his campaign money, because you can count on NOM going after him as soon as he is up for re-election. Their pockets are deep, and they see him as the guy in the way of their goals. They will spend as much as they think it will take to unseat him.

As a community we were very willing to close the "gAyTM" to punish the DNC. Well now it is time to open it up for a guy who is going to face down enormous pressure for our community.

But don't stop there. One Iowa is our team on the ground and they are going to do everything they can to support what's left of Iowa's pro-equality legislature. They need your support too so they can campaign now to continue to win hearts and minds so that one day the political tyranny will end against our community.

Check out this video of Mike Gronstal after the Supreme Court Ruling legalizing marriage for gays and lesbian. He explained then why he supports equality. It is so heartwarming to know some politicians can remain sincere even under the worst circumstances.

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I e-mailed Mr Gronstal yesterday thanking him for his position on equality. Now, if only he would teach President Obama how it works, things might move in the direction of progress. Mr Gronstal is, indeed and in deed, a hero.